Effect of Alzheimer Caregiving Stress and Age on Frailty Markers Interleukin-6, C-Reactive Protein, and D-Dimer

Abstract

Synthesis of inducible heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is impaired in aged animals following acute stresses including exercise. In this study we determined whether aging affects expression of this cytoprotective protein following chronic exercise participation. Male Fischer 344 rats, final ages 6 and 24 months, exercised identically for 10 weeks on a treadmill (158 incline, 15 m/min for up to 60 minutes, 5 days/week). In 6-month-old animals, exercise increased HSP70 in heart (44%), liver (216%), and skeletal muscle (126%) ( p , .05 vs sedentary). In 24-month-old animals, exercise increased HSP70 in muscle (69%), but not in heart or liver. In heart, antioxidant enzyme activities and HSP70 messenger RNA were measured and found to be unaffected by exercise at both ages. Our results indicate an age-related decrease in HSP70 production in heart and liver following chronic exercise. Furthermore, the aged heart does not increase its antioxidant enzyme defenses to compensate for the HSP70 deficit.

Effects of depressive and anxious symptoms on norepinephrine and platelet P-selectin responses to acute psychological stress among elderly caregivers

“…This supports previous research indicating that chronic stress may be associated not only with increased psychological distress, but also with elevated sympathetic nervous system, immune, and procoagulant activity (Kiecolt-Glaser et al, 1996;McEwen, 1998;Vitaliano et al, 2003;von Känel et al, 2006a). It remains possible that the lack of significant associations between negative affect and either norepinephrine or P-selectin responses in the non-caregiving sample may be due in part to the restricted range of depressive and anxious symptoms in this group.…”

Markers of Inflammation in Midlife Women with Intimate Partner Violence Histories

“…For example, CRP and IL-6 elevations have been shown to accompany ongoing chronic stressors, such as fear of terrorism 16 and caregiving for a relative with dementia, 17 although again there are exceptions. 18,19 The stress-reactive quality of IL-6 and CRP is consistent with data showing that key biologic stress mediators, glucocorticoids and catecholamines, influence cytokine production. 20 Despite having some shared correlates and despite being biologically linked, IL-6 and CRP sometimes independently predict health risk, 21 and other times they show divergent associations with both health outcomes 22 and stress.…”

“…20 Despite having some shared correlates and despite being biologically linked, IL-6 and CRP sometimes independently predict health risk, 21 and other times they show divergent associations with both health outcomes 22 and stress. 19 Especially pertinent to the present study is evidence that chronic stress, even after it has remitted, is associated with accelerated age-related increases in circulating IL-6. 17 Despite daunting obstacles, many women leave violent relationships.…”

“…54 Because the cytokine IL-6 is often highlighted as a primary inducer of CRP synthesis, it is important to note that there was no statistically significant association between stalking history and circulating IL-6 levels. Other studies have similarly reported that the associations of CRP and IL-6 with chronic stress do not always converge, 19 and some have reported null or inverse associations with psychosocial factors. 18,55 Offering one possible explanation, other cytokines, such as IL-1b and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-alpha;), along with the adipokine resistin, play a role in CRP synthesis.…”

An evidence-based technological caregiver skill building intervention for dementia family caregivers: pilot study

“…Caregivers of persons with ADRD, compared to married non-caregivers have shown physiological changes that may be associated with declining physical health, such as high levels of stress hormones [15], reduced immune function [16], slow wound healing [17], increased incidence of hypertension, coronary heart disease, and increased risk for cardiovascular disease [18][19][20]. In 2014, estimated health care costs associated with dementia caregiving were $9.7 billion [1].…”